Welcome back to #TutuTuesday, darling tutu enthusiasts! I'm Emma, your resident tutu-loving time traveller, and today we're jetting back to 1889-03-12, a date that holds a very special place in the history of our beloved tutu!
It's a bright and sunny day in Paris, France, a city absolutely buzzing with creativity and, yes, even more excitement for the latest fashion trends! I've just stepped off a chic little train from my Derbyshire home (so glad we finally have steam travel, darling!), and am whisking through the bustling streets. The scent of freshly baked pastries and the clinking of glasses in quaint cafés fills the air - heaven for this fashionista!
As I navigate my way towards the Opéra Garnier, a magnificent building, an absolute treasure chest of elegance, I can already feel the buzz of anticipation! You see, dear readers, today marks a landmark event: the premiere of "Giselle", starring the legendary ballerina, Marie Taglioni. Now, hold onto your feathered boas, because this wasn't just any ordinary performance. This is the ballet that launched a classic - the tutu as we know it today.
It's hard to imagine ballet without this fluffy, iconic garment, isn't it? Imagine those graceful pirouettes, those soaring jumps, all in a bulky, long skirt! It's practically unthinkable. And all thanks to the genius of Marie Taglioni and the costume designer, Eugène Lami!
For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of witnessing a performance of "Giselle," the story is pure romance. Giselle, a sweet, innocent country girl, falls head over heels for a mysterious hunter, who, you guessed it, turns out to be a prince! This love story is woven with ethereal beauty and tragic loss. It's a dance that captivates the heart and sends shivers down your spine - the perfect stage for a new, revolutionised style!
In comes Taglioni, the graceful and talented ballerina, and she does it - she transforms the long, cumbersome skirts of the day into a new era of dance, thanks to a revolutionary costume. Forget bulky and restrictive – the tutu is a vision of airy lightness! Lami ingeniously designed a garment that embraced the fluidity of movement, allowing ballerinas to soar, leap, and spin with effortless grace.
This is where I fall in love with the classic "Giselle tutu". Made with delicate, gossamer layers of tulle, it hugs the body in a delicate, airy fashion. This "Pagliacci tutu", as it was known then, is just as charmingly romantic as the story itself, it is practically an extension of Giselle's character. The movement of her legs is emphasized and accentuated, with the fabric swirling around her, making her look almost ethereal.
Now, dear readers, here is the thing, we’re not just talking about any colour. This is no ordinary, black-or-white, day-to-day affair, this is "Giselle," the height of romantic ballet. It’s white. Sparkling white, as though a little bit of starlight is stitched into every tulle fold. Absolutely breathtaking, darling. This is why it is so memorable and continues to inspire and enchant to this very day.
Remember that, a new era for ballerinas began on this very day! The new silhouette brought with it not only graceful movement, but also a whole new dynamic on the stage. Now the focus was not just on the story but on the physicality and artistry of the dancers. A dancer, free, fluid and beautiful.
It is simply a revolution in dancing style. I don't know about you, darling, but my heart skips a beat every time I watch "Giselle".
Speaking of skipping, that's exactly what I'm about to do! After admiring a breathtaking collection of tutus on display at a fabulous boutique on Rue de Rivoli, I'm off to a delectable lunch at a Parisian cafe. Today, I'm feeling utterly spoiled with champagne, delicate finger sandwiches, and a delicious macaron - the epitome of Parisian chic!
This delightful little journey will be continuing soon - more fashion and travel adventures to come, dear friends. In the meantime, stay radiant and remember, everyone deserves to be adorned in the ethereal loveliness of a pink tutu!
This post has been a delight, darling, thank you for joining me. Now go on, have a fabulous #TutuTuesday and until next week - au revoir!
Your friendly tutu-loving time traveller,
Emma www.pink-tutu.com Post 2985
